Jason's POV

It had been five days since we had arrived in Rustboro City. Today, I would challenge Roxanne and hopefully earn my first Hoenn gym badge.

"So I've seen Adam battle in a gym battle before, but not you, Jason. I'm curious to see what your battling style is like, compared to Adam's." Megan said.

"Unlike Adam, I prefer to use brains over wit. I'm more practical and calculating." I replied.

As we neared the gym, we saw that there was a building beside it that looked like a school.

"Besides being a gym leader, Roxanne is also a teacher here at this school. The school teaches new trainers and coordinators the basics of battling, raising, and training Pokemon. Also, it teaches young kids who want to go on a Pokemon journey when they're old enough." Adam explained.

"That explains why it was so difficult for you two to book a day that worked for your gym battles. Between her gym challenges, teaching at the school, and training her Pokemon, Roxanne doesn't seem to have a lot of free time, so it was hard for her to make room for you both." Megan commented.

"Then we'd better win on our first tries or who knows when we'll get another chance?" I said.

We entered the gym and walked out onto the battlefield where Roxanne was standing, waiting for us. She was now forty years old and wearing a blue knee-length skirt, a pink button-up shirt with long sleeves, and a short blue tie with blue shoes. Her dark brown hair was pulled up into a high ponytail.

"I've been waiting for you three. It's nice to finally meet you, Adam Ketchum, Jason Oak, and Megan Hayden." she greeted.

We looked at one another, shocked and surprised. How did she know our names already? We hadn't met her yet.

She laughed and explained, "Adam, your dad called me recently and told me that you two would be challenging me soon. Because I know who your dads are and how famous they are, I've been eagerly waiting for the chance to battle you."

"I'll be going first." I said, stepping forward.

"And I'll be battling you tomorrow." Adam added.

"Good luck, Jason." Megan said, and Adam nodded his head at me as they went to the sidelines to take their seats.

"The battle between the gym leader, Roxanne, and the challenger, Jason, will now begin. Each trainer will use two Pokemon with substitutions allowed. The battle will be over when both Pokemon on one side are unable to battle. Begin!" the ref announced.

"Geodude, go!" Roxanne cried, tossing her Pokeball.

I had decided that I would use my newly caught Treecko and my Machamp for the battle. Knowing that Roxanne had a Nosepass that might be evolved, I would use Machamp in the second battle.

"Let's go, Treecko!" I cried, tossing my Pokeball. "Use Agility!" I wanted to use speed to my advantage, in case Roxanne went for any long distance attacks. I also knew that Rock Pokemon were usually slow.

"Geodude, use Mega Punch!"

"Dodge it and use Absorb!"

Treecko jumped into the air to dodge and then used Absorb. If he could just keep dodging and getting in hits, Geodude would be too slow to strike back.

"Use Mega Punch again!"

"Jump and avoid it again!"

"Use Rock Throw, Geodude!"

"No!"

I had fallen into a trap! There was no way to not take any damage from the attack as Geodude punched the ground and sent pieces of rock flying up into the air. Treecko cried out as the rocks pelted his body and as he landed on the ground, a few more pieces hit him as they fell back down from above.

I should've known that Roxanne would be ready to deal with Pokemon faster than her own. She knows that she can't use speed to her advantage, so she does this instead! I thought to myself.

"Shake it off, Treecko. Use Quick Attack. Then use Absorb!" With the added speed from Agility earlier, Treecko dashed forward with Quick Attack and as the attack landed, he was quick to follow up with Absorb.

"Mega Punch!" Roxanne commanded her Pokemon.

"Get out of there, Treecko!" I yelled.

But I was a second too late and Treecko was sent flying backwards from the Mega Punch at point blank range and crashed to the ground. But he managed to shake it off and get back on his feet.

... ...

I looked at Geodude. Treecko's last Absorb had done a number on it and Treecko had managed to get some more energy back, thanks to it. But I could tell that both Pokemon were reaching their limits. Treecko was covered in scratches and breathing heavily. Geodude looked like it would collapse at any moment.

"Use Rollout, Geodude!"

"Get ready, Treecko..."

Geodude rolled towards Treecko, spinning fast.

"Dodge it by jumping into the air!"

I knew that sometimes it was still possible for the Pokemon using Rollout to come into the air, so I had to be careful. Geodude rolled under where Treecko had jumped from and was now behind Treecko.

"Use Pound!" I cried. Treecko spun and with the added speed from falling forward, Pound would be a little more powerful.

"Meet it with Mega Punch, Geodude!" Geodude rolled out of Rollout and its fist met Treecko's Pound. I knew that Pound wouldn't hold up against Geodude's Mega Punch for long, so I had to act fast!

"Absorb!"

"No!"

Geodude fell to the ground and fainted as the last of its energy was drained from its body.

"Geodude is unable to battle. Treecko wins!" the ref announced.

"Great job, Treecko. Take a well-earned rest." I said as I returned my Pokemon.

"Impressive, Jason. I thought that I had you figured out." Roxanne commented. "Let's see how you do against my next Pokemon. Go, Nosepass!"

"Machamp, you're up!" I cried, tossing my Pokeball.

"Sandstorm, Nosepass!"

"Making it a challenge right off the bat." I muttered.

I covered my eyes slightly and waited for Roxanne to strike again. I needed to patient.

"Use Rock Throw!" she cried.

"Machamp, be alert." I commanded.

Through the sandstorm, I could see the shadows of the rocks coming.

"Brick Break!" I cried. Machamp successfully stopped Nosepass's Rock Throw as he punched through the rocks.

"Low Kick!"

"Dodge it!"

Amazingly, Nosepass was able to jump and avoid Machamp's leg.

"Use Karate Chop!" I shouted. Nosepass was able to dodge one swing, but Machamp had four arms, so it couldn't dodge the other ones!

"Use Rock Tomb!" Roxanne cried as Machamp was recovered from the hits. Rocks rained down on Machamp and pinned him, trapping him.

"Machamp, stay calm. Use Karate Chop and get free." I said, not panicking. As Machamp broke free from the Rock Tomb, shards of the rocks flew outward and did some damage to Nosepass as they struck him.

... ...

"Stone Edge!" Roxanne cried.

"Dodge it!" I cried.

Machamp rolled to the side and avoided the rocks.

"Machamp, use Seismic Toss! Let's finish this!" Machamp ran towards Nosepass. Roxanne commanded her Pokemon to dodge, but the extra arms of Machamp allowed him to grab Nosepass as it tried to get away. Machamp jumped into the air and somersaulted for a bit before he threw Nosepass down into the battlefield with a giant crash, creating a crater in the floor.

As the dust and bits of debris settled and Machamp landed on the ground, the ref looked into the crater.

"Nosepass is unable to battle. Machamp wins! Which means the challenger, Jason, is the winner!"

"Yes! Way to go, Machamp! Take a rest now."

As I looked up, Roxanne was walking across the field towards me.

"That was a great battle, Jason. I present you with the Stone Badge." she said.

I took it as Adam and Megan walked over.

"Way to go, Jason!" Adam said.

"Megan, did you like my battling style better than Adam's?" I asked.

"You're both spectacular to watch! Both of you are great trainers in your own way and both of you have a great chance of making it into the Hoenn Pokemon League!" she exclaimed, smiling.

"Roxanne, I hope you're ready for me tomorrow because I'm going to be an even bigger challenge for you than my dad was when he first battled you!" Adam stated.

"I'm impressed by your confidence, Adam. I can't wait!" she replied with a determined smile.

Author's Note: Jason wins his first Hoenn badge by defeating Roxanne. Will Adam have the same success against her?

Find out in the next chapter of Pokemon NG!